Ch. 2.6. Primary Source: Debates to Passage of the Connecticut Compromise (July 10-16)
Tuesday, JULY 10
After more debate and efforts by various delegates to change the number of representatives in the lower house (or “first branch”) of the national legislature, on July 16 the Convention finally passed the main features of the “Connecticut Compromise.” Compare its description here below with that of the Constitution’s Article I, sections 1-2.
(Text from Teaching American History, Constitutional Convention, July 10.)
Mr. KING [MA] reported, from the Committee yesterday appointed, “that the States at the first meeting of the General Legislature, should be represented by sixty-five members, in the following proportions, to wit: — New Hampshire, by 3; Massachusetts, 8; Rhode Island, 1; Connecticut, 5; New York, 6; New Jersey, 4; Pennsylvania, 8; Delaware, 1; Maryland, 6; Virginia, 10; North Carolina, 5; South Carolina, 5; Georgia, 3.” [Note: these are the numbers of representatives that would be allotted by the Constitution, in Art. I, Sec. 2, clause 3 (= C1.2.3)].
Mr. RUTLEDGE [SC] moved that New Hampshire be reduced from three to two members. Her numbers did not entitle her to three, and it was a poor State.
General PINCKNEY [SC] seconds the motion.
Mr. KING [MA]. New Hampshire has probably more than 120,000 inhabitants, and has an extensive country of tolerable fertility. Its inhabitants may therefore be expected to increase fast…
General PINCKNEY [SC]. The Report before it was committed was more favorable to the Southern States than as it now stands. If they are to form so considerable a minority, and the regulation of trade is to be given to the General Government, they will be nothing more than overseers for the Northern States. He did not expect the Southern States to be raised to a majority of representatives; but wished them to have something like an equality…
On the question for reducing New Hampshire from three to two representatives, it passed in the negative [i.e., was rejected], — North Carolina, South Carolina, aye — 2; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, no — 8.
General PINCKNEY [SC] and Mr. ALEXANDER MARTIN [NC] moved that six Representatives, instead of five, be allowed to North Carolina.
On the question it passed in the negative, — North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, aye — 3; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, no — 7.
General PINCKNEY [SC] and Mr. BUTLER [SC] made the same motion in favor of South Carolina.
On the question, it passed in the negative, — Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, aye — 4; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, no — 7.
General PINCKNEY [SC] and Mr. HOUSTON [NJ] moved that Georgia be allowed four instead of three Representatives; urging the unexampled celerity of its population.
On the question, it passed in the negative, — Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, aye — 4; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, no — 7.
Monday, JULY 16
(From Teaching American History, Constitutional Convention, July 16.)
On the question for agreeing to the whole Report, as amended, and including the equality of votes in the second branch, it passed in the affirmative, — Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, (Mr. SPAIGHT no) aye — 5; Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, no — 4; Massachusetts, divided (Mr. GERRY, Mr. STRONG, aye; Mr. KING, Mr. GORHAM, no).
The whole thus passed is in the words following, viz.
“Resolved, that in the original formation of the Legislature of the United States, the first branch thereof shall consist of sixty-five members, of which number New Hampshire shall send, 3… [etc., as above]…; the Legislature of the United States shall be authorized, from time to time, to apportion the number of Representatives…
“Resolved, that a census be taken within six years from the first meeting of the Legislature of the United States, and once within the term of every ten years afterwards, of all the inhabitants of the United States…
“Resolved, that in the second branch of the Legislature of the United States, each State shall have an equal vote.”